Exposure to a PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS mixture during gestation and lactation alters the liver proteome in offspring of CD-1 mice

PFAS are persistent man-made chemicals considered to be emerging pollutants, with PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS having associations with liver toxicity and steatosis. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS can undergo placental/lactational transfer, however, little is known about the impact of PFAS mixtures during the developmental window, nor maternal diet on PFAS adverse effects. It was hypothesized that gestational/lactational PFAS exposure would alter the pup liver proteome. The work herein evaluated the liver proteome in offspring, identifying potential biochemical/signaling pathways altered via maternal PFAS exposure. Timed-pregnant CD-1 dams were fed a standard chow or 60% kcal high-fat diet. From GD1 until PND20, dams were orally gavaged daily with either 0.5% Tween 20, individual PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS at 1 mg/kg, or a mixture (1 mg/kg each, totaling 3 mg/kg). Livers were collected from PND21 offspring and SWATH-MS pro-teomics was performed. IPA analysis revealed disease and biological function pathways involved in liver damage, xenobiotics, and lipid regulation were modulated by PFAS exposure in the PND21 liver: lipid transport, storage, oxidation, and synthesis, xenobiotic metabolism and transport, liver damage and inflammation, and fatty acid metabolism, oxidation and transport. This indicates the pup liver proteome is altered via maternal exposure and predisposes the pup to metabolic dysfunctions.